
Miners Returning from Work 1931
Archie Rhys Griffiths (1902–1971)
Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru / The National Library of Wales
Painter, muralist and printmaker, notable for his pictures of miners, born Archie Griffiths in Aberdare, Glamorgan, moving to Gorseinon as a child. He is sometimes referred to as Rhys Griffiths, his chosen name after moving to Hampstead in 1931. Griffiths began working in a tinplate factory and then, after four years as a miner at Mountain Colliery, studied at Swansea Art College, 1919–24. An outstanding student, he won two first prizes at the Ammanford National Eisteddfod in 1922 and was awarded Glamorgan County and Royal College of Art Scholarships, enabling him to study at the Royal College, 1925–8. The principal, Sir William Rothenstein, was a continuing advocate of Griffiths’ abilities. In 1928, he was runner-up in the Prix de Rome and was given a Royal College travelling scholarship of £100 to spend three months in France and Italy.
Text source: 'Artists in Britain Since 1945' by David Buckman (Art Dictionaries Ltd, part of Sansom & Company)